Storm knocked out power in parts of southwest B.C., delayed ferries

Lower Mainland residents mopped up Monday after a weekend storm with strong wind gusts and heavy rain pounded the region.

The high winds toppled trees and knocked out power to more than 3,000 homes in Delta and Richmond, and thousands more in smaller pockets throughout southwestern B.C.

Environment Canada meteorologist David Jones said 65 millimeters of rain was measured from Friday through Sunday at Vancouver Airport, compared with 82 mm in Abbotsford and 71 mm in both Pitt Meadows and West Vancouver.

The intense rain resulted in some localized flooding and washed away part of a section of road in Langley.

The winds only hit 100 kilometres per hour plus on parts of Vancouver Island – the highest reading measured in Metro Vancouver was 90 km/h at West Vancouver’s Point Atkinson.

“It wasn’t really all that bad,” Jones said, noting top wind speeds of about 50 km/h in Abbotsford and Vancouver Airport.

The biggest impact was on BC Ferries passengers after the cancellations of several ferry sailings caused huge delays for travellers between Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver.

Extra sailings were added Monday to clear the backlog.

A Holland America cruise ship also delayed its sailing to Oregon and remained holed up in port in Vancouver.

Flooded street in North Vancouver on Saturday. Photo by Michaela Garstin / North Shore Outlook